A new process for sulfate removal from industrial waters
Many waters associated with mining and mineral processing contain high concentrations of sulfate. These concentrations typically exceed the drinking water guideline of 250 mg/L and may be subject to future discharge limits between 250 and 2,000 mg/L. In the Cost-Effective Sulfate Removal (CESR) process used by Hydrometrics, Inc., a proprietary reagent is added after standard lime treatment to precipitate a compound called ettringite, which can be removed using a clarifier and filter pressed. Sulfate, heavy metals and other contaminants may be removed in the process, which generates no liquid waste. Sulfate concentrations lower than 100 mg/L are easily achievable using this process, with the final concentration dependent upon the reagent dosage and contact time. The CESR process is simpler and less expensive than other sulfate-removal technologies such as sodium aluminate addition, reverse osmosis or evaporation, and is more effective than standard lime precipitation. This process is a true reduction of total dissolved solids (TDS) in that all chemicals added for treatment are precipitated during the reactions. Operating costs for near-complete sulfate removal using the process, which has been used successfully in electroplating, battery recycling and agricultural applications, are estimated at $3 to $6 per 1,000 gallons treated. The process has been demonstrated at the bench scale for waters associated with mining and mineral processing.
- Research Organization:
- Hydrometrics, Inc., Helena, MT (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20026839
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 16th annual national meeting of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, Scottsdale, AZ (US), 08/13/1999--08/19/1999; Other Information: PBD: [1999]; Related Information: In: Mining and reclamation for the next millennium. Proceedings of the 16th annual national meeting of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, by Bengson, S.A.; Bland, D.M. [eds.], 745 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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